Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program

ABSTRACT

An object is to provide an information processing apparatus and the like that can reduce power consumption of the information processing apparatus in downloading and installing. To achieve this object, whether or not there is system software update is confirmed in a low power consumption state in which only some of hardware components of the information processing apparatus are supplied with power and communication with a predetermined server can be performed. When there is the update, update data is downloaded, and at least some of the hardware components that are the update targets and that are not supplied with power in the low power consumption state are started to be supplied with power. Then, system update is executed. The series of processes are automatically executed without a user&#39;s operation.

FIELD

The exemplary embodiments relate to an information processing apparatuscapable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network, andmore specifically, to system update processing in a low powerconsumption state.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is known an information processing apparatuscapable of automatically downloading predetermined data such as anapplication and also installing the downloaded data.

In such an information processing apparatus as described above, in termsof power consumption (operation mode) of the information processingapparatus, power consumption in downloading and power consumption ininstalling are almost the same.

Therefore, the exemplary embodiments will describe an informationprocessing apparatus and the like that can further reduce powerconsumption in the information processing apparatus in automaticdownloading and installing, and also, can improve convenience indownloading and installing.

Configuration examples for achieving the above will be shown below.

One configuration example is an information processing apparatus capableof communicating with an external apparatus via a network. Theinformation processing apparatus is capable of operating while switchingbetween at least two operation states of a low power consumption statein which only some of hardware components composing the informationprocessing apparatus are supplied with power and communication with apredetermined server can be performed, and a normal usage state in whichmore of the hardware components than in the low power consumption stateare supplied with power and power consumption is greater than in the lowpower consumption state. The information processing apparatus includesupdating confirmation means, updating preparation means, and updatinginstall means. The update confirmation means confirms whether or notthere is at least one update of system software that requires writing onthe hardware components, in the low power consumption state. The updatepreparation means, when there is the update, executes processing ofdownloading update data for the update from the predetermined server,and starts supplying power to at least some of the hardware componentsthat are not supplied with power in the low power consumption state. Theupdate install means executes system update install, based on thedownloaded update data. A series of processes by the update confirmationmeans, the update preparation means, and the update install means isautomatically executed without a user's operation.

The above configuration example makes it possible to execute systemupdate processing in an information processing apparatus whilesuppressing power consumption of the information processing apparatus,and enhance convenience for a user.

In another configuration example, the update preparation means may startsupplying power to a hardware component that is not supplied with powerin the low power consumption state and that is a writing target of theupdate, and the update install means may execute system update installaccompanied with writing for the hardware component supplied with powerby the update preparation means.

The above configuration example makes it possible to execute systemupdate that requires writing for a hardware component while suppressingpower consumption of the information processing apparatus.

In another configuration example, processing by the update preparationmeans may be executed in the low power consumption state.

The above configuration example can further reduce power consumption ofthe information processing apparatus.

In another configuration example, after system update install by theupdate install means is finished, the information processing apparatusmay start its operation with an updated system, without requiring auser's operation.

The above configuration example can enhance convenience for a user.

In another configuration example, the information processing apparatusmay further include shutdown means for executing processing of shuttingdown the information processing apparatus after update install by theupdate install means. Further, after the information processingapparatus is shut down by the shutdown means, the information processingapparatus may automatically switch its operation state to the low powerconsumption state.

The above configuration example makes it possible to perform systemupdate and also restart after the system update while suppressing powerconsumption of the information processing apparatus. Further, aftersystem update has been performed once, check processing for update thatcan occur thereafter can be executed subsequently, and automaticdownload and update install processing for the update can be performed.

In another configuration example, the information processing apparatusmay further include: operation reception means for receiving, from auser, an instruction operation for switching the operation state of theinformation processing apparatus from a state other than the normalusage state to the normal usage state, based on a user's operation; andnormal state shifting means for switching the operation state of theinformation processing apparatus to the normal usage state in responseto the instruction operation received by the operation reception meansduring the series of processes being performed by the updateconfirmation means, the update preparation means, and the update installmeans. The information processing apparatus may further include:download interruption means for, while the download is being performedin the low power consumption state, when the operation reception meansreceives the instruction operation from the user, interrupting thedownload processing; and restart means for restarting the interrupteddownload after the operation state becomes the normal usage state. Therestart means may restart the download as background processing, afterthe operation state becomes the normal usage state. During system updateinstall processing by the update install means, when the operationreception means receives the instruction operation from the user, thenormal state shifting means may switch the operation state to the normalusage state while continuing the system update install processing.

In the above configuration example, since download processing isinterrupted once and is restarted thereafter, convenience for a user isensured, and meanwhile, important processing such as system update canbe swiftly completed.

In another configuration example, during the series of processes by theupdate confirmation means, the update preparation means, and the updateinstall means, the information processing apparatus may not output tothe external apparatus a video/audio signal relevant to the series ofprocesses.

In the above configuration example, processing for system update can beperformed without a user noticing that the processing is beingperformed.

In another configuration example, software as a target of the update mayinclude a first kind of software and a second kind of software, theupdate confirmation means may include determination means fordetermining both whether or not there is update of the first kind ofsoftware and whether or not there is update of the second kind ofsoftware, and the processes by the update preparation means and theupdate install means may be executed when it is determined that there isupdate of the first kind of software. The system software may belong tothe first kind of software, and an application other than the systemsoftware may belong to the second kind of software.

In the above configuration example, for example, only when update forsystem software occurs, power feed needed for the update is performed.Therefore, as a whole, power consumption of the information processingapparatus can be further reduced.

According to the exemplary embodiments, it becomes possible to furtherreduce power consumption of the information processing apparatus indownloading and installing system update, and also improve conveniencein downloading and installing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire game system accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of agame apparatus 10;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a controller;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transition of the operation state of thegame apparatus in a power-off state;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a power-feed on/off conditionand an operation condition of each hardware component of the gameapparatus 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing transition of the operation state of thegame apparatus in a power-off state;

FIG. 7 is an example of data used in the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an example of data used in the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart, showing the detailed operation of the gameapparatus in a standby mode;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of the gameapparatus in a low power consumption mode; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of the gameapparatus in a system update mode.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment will be described. In the exemplaryembodiment, a stationary game system will be shown as an example of aninformation processing system.

[1. Entire Configuration of Game System]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system 1. In FIG. 1, the gamesystem 1 includes a stationary display device (hereinafter, referred toas a “television”) 2 typified by a television receiver or the like, astationary game apparatus 3, an optical disc 4, and a controller 5. Thegame system 1 executes game processing in the game apparatus 3, based ona game operation by the controller 5, and displays a game image obtainedby the game processing on the television 2.

The game apparatus 3 allows the optical disc 4 to be inserted therein ina detachable manner. The optical disc 4 is an example of an informationstorage medium used in an exchangeable manner for the game apparatus 3.The optical disc 4 has stored therein an information processing program(typically, a game program) to be executed in the game apparatus 3. Thegame apparatus 3 has an insertion slot for the optical disc 4, at itsfront surface. The game apparatus 3 reads and executes an informationprocessing program stored in the optical disc 4 inserted into theinsertion slot, thereby executing game processing.

The game apparatus 3 allows the television 2 to be connected thereto viaa connection cord. The television 2 displays a game image obtained byimage processing executed in the game apparatus 3. The television 2 hasspeakers 2L and 2R. The speakers 2L and 2R output a game sound obtainedas a result of the game processing. In another exemplary embodiment, thegame apparatus 3 and the stationary display device may be integrated. Inaddition, communication between the game apparatus 3 and the television2 may be wireless communication.

The controller 5 gives operation data indicating the content of anoperation performed on itself, to the game apparatus 3. The controller 5and the game apparatus 3 can communicate with each other bypredetermined wireless communication. In another exemplary embodiment,the controller 5 and the game apparatus 3 may be connected by wire.

[2. Internal Configuration of Game Apparatus 3]

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the gameapparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing theinternal configuration of the game apparatus 3. The game apparatus 3includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory 12, a flashmemory 14, a wireless communication section 15, a controllercommunication section 16, a disc drive 17, a power supply controlsection 18, an AV-IC 19, a GPU 20, a DSP 21, and the like.

The CPU 11 executes a game program or the like stored in the opticaldisc 4, thereby executing game processing, and thus functions as a gameprocessor. In the exemplary embodiment, the CPU 11 is a so-calledmulti-core processor. Specifically, the CPU 11 is a triple-coreprocessor. As a matter of course, in another exemplary embodiment, thecore number is not limited to three, or not limited to multi-core.

The main memory 12, the flash memory 14, the wireless communicationsection 15, the controller communication section 16, the disc drive 17,the power supply control section 18, the GPU 20, and the DSP 21 areconnected to the CPU 11. In addition, the GPU 20 and the DSP 21 areconnected also to the AV-IC 19. The volatile main memory 12 is used forstoring programs such as a game program read from the optical disc 4 anda game program read from the flash memory 14, and for storing variouskinds of data, and is used as a working area or a buffer area of the CPU11. The disc drive 17 reads program data or the like from the opticaldisc 4, and writes the read data into the main memory 12.

The GPU 20 forms a part of drawing means and generates an image inaccordance with a graphics command (drawing command) from the CPU 11.

The DSP 21 functions as an audio processor and generates audio data byusing sound data, or sound waveform (tone) data stored in the externalmain memory 12.

Among images and sounds generated by the game apparatus 3 as describedabove, data of an image and a sound to be outputted from the television2 is read by the AV-IC 19. The AV-IC 19 outputs the read image data tothe television 2 via an AV connector (not shown), and outputs the readsound data to the speakers 2L and 2R provided in the television 2. Thus,an image is displayed on the television 2 and a sound is outputted fromthe speakers 2L and 2R.

The game apparatus 3 is capable of communicating with an externalinformation processing apparatus (for example, another game apparatus,various servers, etc.) by being connected to a network such as theInternet. That is, the CPU 11 can be connected to a network such as theInternet via the wireless communication section 15, and communicate withan external information processing apparatus connected to the network.The CPU 11 periodically accesses the flash memory 14 and detects whetheror not there is data to be transmitted to the network. If there is suchdata, the CPU 11 transmits the data to the network via the wirelesscommunication section 15. In addition, the CPU 11 receives datatransmitted from an external information processing apparatus or datadownloaded from a predetermined server, via the network and the wirelesscommunication section 15, and stores the received data into the flashmemory 14.

In addition, the game apparatus 3 is capable of receiving operation datafrom the controller 5 via the controller communication section 16. Thatis, the CPU 11 receives operation data transmitted from the controller5, via the controller communication section 16, and stores (temporarily)the operation data into the main memory 12. In the exemplary embodiment,the controller communication section 16 has two operation modes. One isa normal operation mode for performing normal operation, and the otherone is a low power mode for performing operation with low power. As willbe described in detail later, when the game apparatus 3 operates in anormal mode, the controller communication section 16 operates in thenormal operation mode. In addition, when the game apparatus 3 operatesin a low power consumption mode, the controller communication section 16becomes the low power mode. In the low power mode, the controllercommunication section 16 accepts only an operation on a power buttonprovided in the controller 5.

The power supply control section 18 includes an RTC (Real Time Clock)and can measure time. Time measured by the power supply control section18 is used for changing the operation mode of the game apparatus 3described later in accordance with a predetermined time schedule. Inaddition, the power supply control section 18 controls power feeding toeach section of the game apparatus 3. For example, the power supplycontrol section 18 controls boot of the CPU 11, based on the measuredtime.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game apparatus 3 (each section thereof)operates by power acquired from an external power source. The powersupply control section 18 feeds power from an external power source toeach section of the game apparatus 3. For example, the game apparatus 3may acquire power via an AC adapter (not shown) from a home powersupply. In another exemplary embodiment, the game apparatus 3 mayoperate by power acquired from an internal power source (such as abattery).

Further, although not shown, hardware components (modules) other thanthe above components are also mounted (for example, Bluetooth(registered trademark) module and the like). Here, such hardwarecomponents include the one having a chip (microcomputer) on which acontrol program for controlling the component is written. In addition,such a chip is configured to be rewritable. In the exemplary embodiment,as a part of system update processing, rewriting of such a chip is alsoperformed.

Next, the controller 5 will be described. The controller 5 shown in FIG.1 is wirelessly connected to the game apparatus 3. The controller 5 hasa plurality of operation buttons to receive various operations from auser. Instead of such a controller as shown in FIG. 1, a controllerhaving an LCD 71 and a touch panel 72 may be used as shown in FIG. 3,for example.

Next, the summary of operation of information processing executed by thegame apparatus 3 according to the exemplary embodiment will bedescribed. The processing according to the exemplary embodiment is,mainly, processing of performing system update while power of the gameapparatus 3 is off. Regarding a method for acquiring update data forsystem update, in the exemplary embodiment, the game apparatus 3acquires update data by downloading the update data from a predeterminedserver. That is, the game apparatus 3 queries a predetermined serverwhether or not there is some update data. Then, if there is such updatedata, the game apparatus 3 downloads the update data (in the exemplaryembodiment, at the same time, also queries whether or not there is someupdate of an application other than a system). Then, the game apparatus3 performs system update by using the downloaded update data.

First, the operation state (operation mode) of the game apparatus 3 inthe exemplary embodiment will be described. First, from a user'sviewpoint, operation states of the game apparatus 3 in the exemplaryembodiment include a state (hereinafter, power-on state) in which poweris on and a state (hereinafter, power-off state) in which power is off.The power-on state may be considered to be a state in which the gameapparatus 3 is being used, mainly when a user is playing a game, forexample. In other words, the power-on state is such a state that a usercan recognize that power of the game apparatus 3 is on. On the otherhand, the power-off state is such a state that allows a user torecognize that “power is off” and also allows supply of AC power. Thatis, in this state, an AC adapter or the like is plugged in, or in thecase where the game apparatus 3 is a type that operates by a battery,the remaining battery level is more than the minimum required level foroperation of the game apparatus 3.

The operation mode of the game apparatus 3 in a power-on state isreferred to as a normal mode. The normal mode is a state in which poweris supplied to all the hardware components. Also, a video signal and anaudio signal are outputted to the television 2.

On the other hand, operation modes (in other words, power feedconditions of the game apparatus 3) in a power-off state include threemodes of a standby mode, a low power consumption mode, and a systemupdate mode. In a power-off state, basically, the game apparatus 3operates while switching between two modes of the standby mode and thelow power consumption mode based on a predetermined time schedule. Morespecifically, control is performed such that the operation mode in apower-off state basically takes the standby mode while the low powerconsumption mode is activated intermittently. Further, under apredetermined condition, operation can be performed in the system updatemode described later.

In the standby mode, only the power supply control section 18 issupplied with power while the other hardware components are not suppliedwith power. This mode accepts only an operation of powering-on by apower button. The standby mode is, as it were, a standby state in whichoperation is being performed with standby power.

On the other hand, in the low power consumption mode, only some of thehardware components of the game apparatus 3, including the CPU 11, aresupplied with power. That is, power consumption is greater than in thestandby mode but is smaller than in the normal mode. In addition, sincethe CPU 11 is also supplied with power, information processing by theCPU 11 is also possible. Here, processes that can be executed in the lowpower consumption mode include, in the exemplary embodiment, processingof checking whether or not there is some update for a system or anapplication (whether or not some update occurs). Further, if there issuch update, processing of downloading the update data from apredetermined server is also performed. That is, an operation isperformed such that, during an off-period in which it appears to a userthat power of the game apparatus 3 is off, download of update data for asystem or an application is completed, for example. In the low powerconsumption mode, only hardware components necessary for such downloadprocessing are supplied with power. Specifically, in the exemplaryembodiment, the CPU 11, the main memory 12, the flash memory 14, thewireless communication section 15, the controller communication section16, and the power supply control section 18 are supplied with power.Here, in the exemplary embodiment, as described above, the CPU 11 is atriple-core multiprocessor. In the low power consumption mode, the CPU11 operates with one core. In addition, at this time, the operationclock frequency of the CPU 11 may be decreased. In addition, thecontroller communication section 16 has two operation modes as describedabove. In the low power consumption mode, the controller communicationsection 16 operates in the low power mode in which only a power-onoperation by the controller 5 can be accepted. That is, the low powerconsumption mode is an operation mode in which only the minimum requiredpower for the download processing is supplied while the other hardwarecomponents are not supplied with power so that power consumption issuppressed as much as possible.

In the exemplary embodiment, in the power-off state, basically, controlas shown in FIG. 4 is performed. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explainingbasic operation modes of the game apparatus 3 in a power-off state.First, during operation in the normal mode, a power-off operation(shutdown operation) is performed, thereby shifting from the normal modeto the standby mode (shifting to the standby mode corresponds toso-called shutdown processing). Thereafter, when a predetermined timehas elapsed, the operation mode shifts to the low power consumptionmode. In this low power consumption mode, the update check processing,download processing (in the case where there is update), and the likeare executed. After such processing is completed, the operation modeshifts from the low power consumption mode to the standby mode.Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation modeshifts to the low power consumption mode, and then shifts to the standbymode again. Thus, when power is off, while using the standby mode as abase, the operation mode is intermittently switched to the low powerconsumption mode in accordance with a predetermined time schedule.

Here, data downloaded in the low power consumption mode include a datapackage (hereinafter, referred to as an update package) for systemupdate of the game apparatus 3. Regarding application of the updatepackage, conventionally, there is known a method in which download of anupdate package is completed in the low power consumption mode, andthereafter, when the game apparatus 3 is started in the normal mode,system update is performed. However, in the case of this method, a useris to wait until the update is finished. Particularly, in the case wherethe game apparatus 3 has not been powered on for a long period and thenis powered on after such a long interval, and therefore there are aplurality of updates to be performed, it may take a further long time towait until these updates are all applied. Considering the above, in theexemplary embodiment, system update is also completed while the gameapparatus 3 is in a power-off state.

As described above, in the low power consumption mode, only the minimumrequired hardware components are supplied with power so that powerconsumption is reduced as much as possible. Meanwhile, the above updatepackage may include update that causes chip rewriting for apredetermined hardware component (for example, update of a controlprogram of a microcomputer or the like mounted on a predeterminedhardware component). In the case where such a predetermined hardwarecomponent as the update target is not supplied with power in the lowpower consumption mode, the chip rewiring processing is not performed inthe low power consumption mode, and therefore system update cannot beperformed (the controller communication section 16 is assumed such thatchip rewriting for the controller communication section 16 cannot beperformed in the low power consumption mode). In such a case, it isconceivable to automatically shift the game apparatus 3 from the lowpower consumption mode to the normal mode, thereby performing systemupdate. However, such control causes also operations such as output of avideo/audio signal to the television 2. Therefore, it appears to a userthat the game apparatus having been powered off is started up by itself.

Considering the above, in the exemplary embodiment, the system updatemode is provided which allows a user to recognize that the gameapparatus 3 is in a power-off state and meanwhile, inside the gameapparatus 3, supplies power to a hardware component necessary for systemupdate, so that the hardware condition allows a system update. Aftershifting to the system update mode, system update processing isperformed. That is, in terms of power supply to a hardware component andits power consumption, the system update mode is regarded as beingpositioned between the normal mode and the low power consumption mode.That is, the order of power consumption is, from the greatest one, thenormal mode, the system update mode, the low power consumption mode, andthen the standby mode. More specifically, the power feeding condition inthe system update mode is as follows. First, the CPU 11, the main memory12, the flash memory 14, the wireless communication section 15, thepower supply control section 18, the GPU 20, and the DSP 21 are suppliedwith power. In addition, the controller communication section 16 isoperated in the aforementioned normal operation mode. In addition, theCPU 11 operates with all the three cores being available, as in the caseof normal mode (the operation clock of the CPU 11 is also the same as inthe normal mode). On the other hand, the disc drive 17 is not suppliedwith power (as a result, it also becomes possible to suppress occurrenceof disk rotation sound whose noise value is comparatively high). Inaddition, although image generation processing or video outputprocessing is performed by the GPU 20, a video signal is not outputtedto the television 2. That is, the game apparatus 3 does not output avideo signal to the television 2. As it were, a video signal is blockedat the AV-IC 19. The same holds true for sound. Besides, a hardwarecomponent that can become a system update target is also supplied withpower.

From the above, the low power consumption mode and the system updatemode can be understood as follows. That is, in the low power consumptionmode, it suffices that hardware components that enable update check anddownload processing are supplied with power. In the system update mode,it suffices that hardware components that enable system update installare supplied with power. Therefore, in another exemplary embodiment,power consumption may be smaller in the system update mode (systemupdate install) than in the low power consumption mode (downloadprocessing).

Here, regarding hardware components that are power supply targets in theabove system update mode, for example, it is conceivable that hardwarecomponents that can become system update targets are found out inadvance, and then such hardware components are set as power supplytargets in the system update mode. Therefore, if the disc drive 17 canbecome a system update target, the disc drive 17 may also be suppliedwith power in the system update mode. Conversely, for example, if thewireless communication section 15 cannot become a system update target,the wireless communication section 15 may not be supplied with power inthe system update mode. Further, in the system update mode, onlyvideo/audio output to an external apparatus such as the television 2 maybe stopped, so that the other parts have substantially the same powerfeeding conditions and the same operation conditions as in the normalmode. Even in this case, since output to the television 2 is off, itappears to a user that the game apparatus 3 is in a power-off state. Inaddition, at least power consumption for the AV-IC 19 can be suppressed.

In the exemplary embodiment, as described above, the case where thecontroller communication section 16 has the normal operation mode andthe low power mode is shown as an example. In another exemplaryembodiment, for example, if the controller 5 is not provided with apower button, the low power mode may not be provided. In such a case, inthe low power consumption mode or the standby mode, the controllercommunication section 16 may not be supplied with power.

In still another exemplary embodiment, instead of controlling whether ornot to supply power to each hardware component as described above,control may be performed so as to change the operation state of eachhardware component. For example, regarding the controller communicationsection 16, control may be performed so as to switch between the normaloperation mode and the low power mode in accordance with whether theoperation mode is the system update mode or the low power consumptionmode, or control may be performed so as to change the rotation rate of acooling fan described later. That is, in the case where each hardwarecomponent that is being supplied with power can be operated with moresuppressed power consumption (its operation state can be changed),control may be performed so as to switch the hardware component into anoperation state with suppressed power consumption as appropriate.

Although not shown in FIG, 2, the game apparatus 3 has an LED forindicating its operation mode. In the exemplary embodiment, the LED islit with blue in the normal mode, lit with red in the standby mode, andlit with orange in the low power consumption mode, for example. In thiscase, in the system update mode, the LED is lit with orange as in thelow power consumption mode. That is, the system update mode is set toexternally appear to be the low power consumption mode. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the standby mode, the low power consumption mode,and the system update mode may be lit with the same color (for example,red).

In addition, the game apparatus 3 may be provided with a cooling fan.Regarding rotation of this fan, in the low power consumption mode, thefan may be operated with a smaller rotation rate than in the normalmode. This is because it is considered that heat generation is smallerin the low power consumption mode than in the normal mode. On the otherhand, in the system update mode, the fan may be operated with the samerotation rate as in the normal mode. This is because heat generation isgreater than in the low power consumption mode, or in some cases, can beas great as in the normal mode.

Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of a power-feed on/off condition and anoperation condition of each hardware component of the game apparatus 3in each mode. As shown in FIG. 5, the above four operation modes aredifferent in power consumption in the game apparatus 3. For example, inthe normal mode, all the hardware components are supplied with power. Onthe other hand, in the standby mode, only the power supply controlsection 18 and the controller communication section 16 are supplied withpower. It is noted that the controller communication section 16 operatesin the aforementioned low power mode (in which only power-on operationis acceptable). In the low power consumption mode, as described above,only hardware components necessary for execution of update check anddownload processing are supplied with power. That is, the CPU 11 andmemory-related components, and also the wireless communication section15 and the power supply control section 18 which are necessary incommunication with a server, are supplied with power. In addition, alsothe controller communication section 16 is supplied with power, andoperates in the aforementioned low power mode. In addition, sinceprocessing load in download processing is comparatively low, theoperation mode of the CPU 11 is a single-core operation. Thus, whilepower consumption is suppressed to the minimum required amount, theupdate check or the download processing can be executed. In the systemupdate mode, hardware components necessary for execution of systemupdate processing are supplied with power. In addition, the CPU 11performs triple-core operation, and the controller communication section16 operates in the normal operation mode. Therefore, while powerconsumption is suppressed as compared to the normal mode, system updateinstall can be performed. In this mode, since there is no output to thetelevision, a user is allowed to recognize that the game apparatus 3 isin a power-off state. Thus, the game apparatus 3 operates whileswitching among these operation modes as appropriate, thereby savingpower.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that it is not necessary toobtain user's agreement at the timing of performing the above systemupdate. For example, a configuration in which comprehensive permissionfor system update is obtained from a user in advance is used. Therefore,in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to install update orautomatically execute the updated system, without asking for a user'soperation.

The system update mode can be started only when update check in the lowpower consumption mode determines that system update occurs.Specifically, as a result of update check in the low power consumptionmode, if system update occurs, control is performed so as to downloadthe update package, shift from the low power consumption mode to thesystem update mode, and then execute the system update. FIG. 6 shows anoperation concept in such a case. First, when a power-off operation isperformed during operation in the normal mode, the operation mode shiftsfrom the normal mode to the standby mode. Thereafter, when apredetermined time has elapsed, the operation mode shifts to the lowpower consumption mode. It is assumed that in the low power consumptionmode at this time, as a result of update check, system update is notfound. In this case, the operation mode shifts from the low powerconsumption mode to the standby mode. Thereafter, when a predeterminedtime has elapsed, the operation mode shifts to the low power consumptionmode again. It is assumed that in this low power consumption mode,system update is found. As a result, in this low power consumption mode,an update package is downloaded, and then the operation mode shifts tothe system update mode. Then, system update processing based on theupdate package is performed, and then the operation mode shifts to thestandby mode. Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed, theoperation mode shifts to the low power consumption mode again. At thistime, the game apparatus 3 is to operate with the updated system. Thatis, after system update, restart is also automatically performed. Inaddition, download processing is also automatically performed in the lowpower consumption mode as described above. Therefore, convenience forusers in such download and system update install can be improved.

After the game apparatus 3 has operated in the system update mode, thegame apparatus 3 shifts to the standby mode once (that is, shut down),irrespective of a result of the update install processing. Then, when apredetermined time has elapsed, the operation mode shifts to the lowpower consumption mode, irrespective of a result of the update installprocessing. Even in the case where, while the update install is notcompleted for some reason, the system update processing is ended and theoperation mode shifts to the standby mode, the operation mode nextshifts to the low power consumption mode without shifting to the systemupdate mode. Then, as necessary, control is performed so as to shiftfrom the low power consumption mode to the system update mode, torestart the uncompleted update install.

Here, things that can be contained in the update package, that is,targets of “system update” include the following.

A) Update data for a basic control system (so-called OS, firmware, etc.,hereinafter, may be referred to as a system file) of the game apparatus3.

B) Update data for a control program or the like written on a chip ofeach hardware component. The hardware components in this case includethe controller 5. For example, in the case where the controller 5 is atype as shown in FIG. 3 and a control program for the LCD 71 or the likeof the controller 5 is written on a chip (microcomputer) of thecontroller 5 itself, data for updating this chip is also included in theupdate data.

C) Update data for an application (as it were, a pre-installedapplication or the like provided by a maker) commonly installed in thegame apparatuses 3 which can be produced in large numbers.

On the other hand, update data for an application installed onto thegame apparatus 3 by a user's operation, for example, a game or the likepurchased at an Internet shopping site and downloaded by a user, is notincluded in system update packages as described above. Hereinafter, suchan application other than a system may be referred to as a userapplication.

In update check in the low power consumption mode, both system updateand update for the other application (user application) may be found. Inthis case, system update processing is preferentially performed. Forexample, only update package download and system update may be performedfirst, and then, in the updated system, download of update data for theother application and the update processing may be performed.Alternatively, after only the update package and the update data for theapplication may be downloaded in advance, the system update processingmay be executed first, and then, in the updated system, the updateprocessing for the application may be performed.

System update processing in the exemplary embodiment is performedgenerally as follows. The update package is generated in a compressedstate. Therefore, first, processing of decompressing the update packagedownloaded into the flash memory 14 and storing the data into the mainmemory 12 is executed. Then, based on the decompressed data, processingof rewriting a chip of a predetermined hardware component, processing ofupdating a system file of the game apparatus 3, or the like is executedas described above. Specifically, update of a system file in theexemplary embodiment is as follows. First, it is assumed that updatedata for control system contained in the update package is notdifferential data but contains data of the entire control system(updated version). In addition, it is assumed that the name of a folder(stored in the flash memory 14) in which the current system file isstored is “SYSTEM”, as an example. Under these assumptions, the updatedsystem file contained in the update package is extracted anddecompressed, and then stored into a folder named “NEWSYSTEM”, forexample. Then, processing of deleting the above “SYSTEM” folder andchanging the name of the “NEWSYSTEM” folder to “SYSTEM” is performed.Thus, the system of the game apparatus is replaced by the updatedsystem. Thereafter, when the game apparatus 3 is restarted, the gameapparatus 3 operates with the updated system. Hereinafter, theprocessing until the system file for update is stored into the“NEWSYSTEM” folder is referred to as “install”. Specifically, processingof rewriting a chip of a hardware component, updating a commonapplication, and storing a system file into the flash memory 14 (theabove “NEWSYSTEM”) is referred to as “install”. Processing for thefolder name change performed thereafter is referred to as “reflection ofupdate”.

As described above, targets of “system update” also include anapplication commonly installed in game apparatuses. For example, it isassumed that there are two update targets of “OS” and “menuapplication”. In this case, first, update of “OS” is executed, and theupdate of “OS” is reflected. Thereafter, update of “menu application” isexecuted, and the update of “menu application” is reflected. Then, afterthe “update” and the “reflection of update” of these two update targetshave been performed, the game apparatus 3 is restarted. That is, in thecase where there are a plurality of software components as targets of“system update”, “update” and “reflection of update” may be performed ona component by component basis.

The specific content of the update processing is not limited to theabove example. For example, it is assumed that data constituting acontrol system is composed of plural kinds of data. As an example, it isassumed that the control system is constituted by three kinds of data of(A) OS, (B) data group 1 necessary for OS, and (C) data group 2necessary for OS. In this case, it is also possible to update thecontrol system by updating only (B) data group 1 necessary for OS. Thatis, update data to be downloaded may include only (B) data group 1necessary for OS, and only this data group 1 may be updated. That is,update processing may be performed so as to perform replacement on adata-by-data basis. Besides, instead of using an intermediate workingfolder such as the “NEWSYSTEM” folder, update processing may beperformed so as to directly replace the file in the “SYSTEM” folder.

In the exemplary embodiment, during execution of download or updateinstall in the power-off state as described above, if a user performs apower-on operation, the following operation is performed. First, in thecase where a power-on operation is performed during download of anupdate package in the low power consumption mode, the download isinterrupted once. Then, after the operation mode shifts to the normalmode, the interrupted download is restarted as background processing.After the download is completed, for example, a user may be notifiedthat there is update data for system, and system update install may beperformed in the normal mode by a user's operation. Alternatively, thenext time the game apparatus shifts to a power-off state, the updateinstall may be performed in the system update mode.

On the other hand, in the case where a power-on operation is performedduring execution of update install in the system update mode, theoperation mode shifts to the normal mode while the processing of updateinstall is continued. Specifically, each hardware component that has notbeen supplied with power is also supplied with power, and output ofvideo and audio to the television 2 is also performed (in the case wherethe LED is provided, the LED is lit with a color that indicates thenormal mode). As a result, in a user's viewpoint, a screen is displayedon the television 2 by the power-on operation, and on the screen, forexample, a progress of the system update install is displayed (forexample, a progress bar is displayed). In this case, a user cannot usethe game apparatus 3 until the processing of update install is finished.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, the operation of the hand-heldgame apparatus 10 in the exemplary embodiment will be described in moredetail.

FIG. 7 shows an example of data stored in the flash memory 14 of thegame apparatus 3. FIG. 8 shows an example of data stored in the mainmemory 12. In the flash memory 14, update package data 201, a systemfile 202, an updated system file 203, and the like are stored. In themain memory 12, data necessary for processing, such as decompressed data204 for working, is stored as appropriate.

The update package data 201 is data in an update package obtained bydownload from a predetermined server. Various kinds of update data arecompressed and packaged as the update package data. The system file 202is a system file that is yet to be updated, that is, a system file forthe system that is currently operating. For example, the system file 202is a system file (data group) stored in the aforementioned “SYSTEM”folder. The updated system file 203 is an updated system file extractedfrom the update package data. For example, the updated system file 203is a data group stored in the aforementioned “NEWSYSTEM” folder.

The decompressed data 204 for working is data obtained by decompressingthe update package data 201. The decompressed data 204 includes data asa base of the updated system file, and various kinds of update data tobe written into a chip of a hardware component.

Next, with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 9 to 11, flows of processesexecuted by the game apparatus 3 in a power-off state will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of the gameapparatus 3 in the standby mode. In the standby mode, the power supplycontrol section 18 is a main section for execution. In FIG. 9, in stepS1, the power supply control section 18 determines whether or not anoperation of powering-on has been performed. As a result, if a power-onoperation has been performed (YES in step S1), in step S2, the powersupply control section 18 issues a boot instruction for shifting to thenormal mode, to the CPU 11. As a result, the game apparatus 3 shifts tothe normal mode (starts in the normal mode).

On the other hand, if a power-on operation has been performed (NO instep S1), next, in step S3, the power supply control section 18determines whether or not the time to shift to the low power consumptionmode has come, based on time measured by the RTC. As a result, if thetime has come (YES in step S3), the power supply control section 18issues a boot instruction to operate the game apparatus 3 in the lowpower consumption mode, to the CPU 11. As a result, power is supplied tothe minimum required hardware components for operation in the low powerconsumption mode, such as the CPU 11, and the game apparatus 3 shifts tothe low power consumption mode (starts in the low power consumptionmode). On the other hand, if the time to start the low power consumptionmode has not come (NO in step S3), the process returns to step S1 torepeat the process. Thus, the description of the operation of the gameapparatus 3 in the standby mode is finished.

Next, the operation of the game apparatus in the low power consumptionmode will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the detailedoperation of the game apparatus 3 in the low power consumption mode. Inthis mode, the CPU 11 is a main section for operation. First, in stepS11, the CPU 11 establishes connection to a predetermined server via thewireless communication section 15, and executes processing of queryingthe server whether or not there is update data (both system update andapplication update) (update check processing). For example, processingof receiving data of an update list indicating the latest versions ofeach application and system is performed.

Next, in step S12, based on a result of the query, whether or not thereis update data is determined. For example, the update list is comparedwith the version of the system of the game apparatus 3 or the version ofeach application installed in the game apparatus 3, thereby determiningwhether or not there is update data. As a result of the determination,if there is no update data (NO in step S12), the process proceeds tostep S17 described later. On the other hand, if there is update data(YES in step S12), next, in step S13, the CPU 11 executes processing ofdownloading update data from the predetermined server.

After the download processing is finished, in step S14, the CPU 11determines whether or not system update is included in the datadownloaded at this time. This may be determined based on the update listor may be determined from the file name or the like of the downloadeddata. That is, any determination method that can determine whether ornot there is system update may be used.

As a result of the determination, if system update is included (YES instep S14), in step S15, the CPU 11 executes processing for shifting theoperation mode of the game apparatus 3 to the system update mode. Thatis, processing of restarting the game apparatus 3 in the system updatemode is executed. As a result, hardware components that can becomesystem update targets are supplied with power. In addition, for example,change of the operation mode of the CPU 11 (switch from single-coreoperation to triple-core operation), and the like are also performed.After the game apparatus 3 is restarted in the system update mode, theprocess shown in FIG. 11 described later is executed.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S14, ifsystem update is not included (NO in step S14), in step S16, the CPU 11executes the other processing as appropriate. For example, in the casewhere update data for application has been downloaded, applicationupdate processing is performed. Here, regarding application update,basically, processing of rewriting an application program stored in theflash memory 14 with the downloaded update data. Therefore, unlikesystem update in which writing on a chip of a hardware component or thelike can occur, application update can be executed even in the low powerconsumption mode.

Next, in step S17, the CPU 11 performs processing of setting the nexttime to start the low power consumption mode. Thereafter, in step S18,the CPU 11 executes processing of shifting from the low powerconsumption mode to the standby mode.

Although not shown in the flowchart, if a power-on operation isperformed before the download is completed, the download in the lowpower consumption mode is interrupted and processing of shifting to thenormal mode is executed. Then, in the normal mode, the interrupteddownload is restarted as background processing.

Thus, the description of processing in the low power consumption mode isfinished.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the detailed operation of the gameapparatus 3 in the system update mode will be described. FIG. 11 is aflowchart showing the detailed operation of the game apparatus 3 in thesystem update mode. Also in this mode, the CPU 11 is a main section foroperation.

When the game apparatus 3 has shifted to the system update mode, first,in step S31, the CPU 11 executes processing of installing an updatepackage. Specifically, compressed update package data 201 isdecompressed and stored as the decompressed data 204 for working intothe main memory 12. Further, based on the decompressed data 204 forworking, as described above, processing of rewriting a chip of apredetermined hardware component, processing of storing a system filefor update into the flash memory 14 (for example, “NEWSYSTEM” folder),and the like are executed.

Next, in step S32, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the install iscompleted. As a result of the determination, if the install has not beencompleted yet (NO in step S32), the process returns to step S31 tocontinue the install processing. On the other hand, if the install hasbeen completed (YES in step S32), in step S33, the CPU 11 performsprocessing for reflecting the update. That is, as described above,processing of deleting the “SYSTEM” folder and changing the name of the“NEWSYSTEM” folder to “SYSTEM” is performed. Thereafter, in step S34,the CPU 11 executes processing of shifting to the standby mode. As aresult, a timing of shifting to the low power consumption mode or thenormal mode after shifting to the standby mode corresponds to restart ofthe game apparatus 3. As a result, the game apparatus 3 is to operatewith the updated system. In other words, the system update is reflectedso that operation is performed with the updated system, withoutrequiring an operation to indicate agreement or permission of a user, orthe like.

Although not shown in the flowchart, when a power-on operation isperformed in the system update mode, each hardware component that hasnot been supplied with power is also supplied with power. As a result,output of video and audio to the television 2 is also performed. Thatis, while the update processing is continued, all the hardwarecomponents are supplied with power, whereby the operation mode shifts tothe normal mode. In addition, in this case, after the update processingis finished, the game apparatus may be restarted so as to be started inthe normal mode again.

Thus, the description of the operation in the system update mode isfinished.

Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, in a power-off state of the gameapparatus 3, in addition to the low power consumption mode in which onlysome of the hardware components are supplied with power so as to performoperation with suppressed power consumption, the system update mode inwhich the game apparatus 3 is allowed to perform system updateprocessing while it appears to a user that the game apparatus 3 is in apower-off state, is provided. In the system update mode, hardwarecomponents used for system update are supplied with power. Thus, in apower-off state of the game apparatus 3, system update processing can beexecuted without causing a user to notice the execution, and thereforeconvenience for a user can be enhanced while power consumption of thegame apparatus 3 is suppressed.

In the above example, an update package is downloaded in the low powerconsumption mode, and the install thereof is performed in the systemupdate mode. In another exemplary embodiment, both download and installof an update package may be performed in the system update mode. Forexample, update check described above may be performed in the low powerconsumption mode, and based on a result thereof, whether or not there issystem update may be determined. Then, if there is system update, theoperation mode may shift, at this stage, from the low power consumptionmode to the system update mode. Then, in the system update mode, bothdownload and install of an update package may be executed.

In the above exemplary embodiment, reflection of an updated system isalso performed in a power-off state. In another exemplary embodiment,instead of performing update reflection in the system update mode, forexample, the next time the operation mode shifts to the normal mode, auser's operation to agree with update reflection may be required. Then,when the user's agreement is obtained, processing of changing the foldername as described above may be performed and the game apparatus 3 may berestarted.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the case of using the stationary gamesystem 1 as an example of an information processing system has beendescribed. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.For example, the above-described configuration can also be applied to aninformation processing apparatus such as a hand-held game apparatus. Inaddition, the above-described configuration can also be applied to aninformation processing apparatus or an information processing systemother than a game apparatus, such as a smartphone or a so-called tabletterminal, for example.

1. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with anexternal apparatus via a network, the information processing apparatusbeing capable of operating while switching between at least twooperation states that include a low power consumption state and a normalusage state, the low power consumption state in which only some ofhardware components composing the information processing apparatus aresupplied with power and communication with a predetermined servercomputing system can be performed, the normal usage state in which moreof the hardware components than in the low power consumption state aresupplied with power and power consumption is greater than in the lowpower consumption state, the information processing apparatuscomprising: a processing system that includes at least one processorcoupled to a memory device, the processing system configured to: in thelow power consumption state, update confirmation for confirming whetheror not there is at least one update of system software that requireswriting on the hardware components; update preparation for, when thereis the update, executing processing of downloading update data for theupdate from the predetermined server, and starting supplying power to atleast some of the hardware components that are not supplied with powerin the low power consumption state; and update install for executingsystem update install based on the downloaded update data, whereinexecution of a series of processes that includes (1) the updateconfirmation, (2) the update preparation, and (3) the update install areautomatically executed by the processing system without operation by auser.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the update preparation starts supplying power to a hardwarecomponent that is not supplied with power in the low power consumptionstate and that is a writing target of the update, and the update installexecutes system update install accompanied with writing for the hardwarecomponent supplied with power.
 3. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein processing by the update preparation isexecuted in the low power consumption state.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the systemupdate is completed, the information processing apparatus startsoperation with an updated system, without requiring operation by theuser.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the processing system is further configured to executeprocessing of shutting down the information processing apparatus afterupdate install by the update install.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 5, wherein after the information processingapparatus is shut down, the information processing apparatusautomatically switches the operation state to the low power consumptionstate.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the processing system is further configured to: receive, from auser, an instruction operation for switching the operation state of theinformation processing apparatus from a state other than the normalusage state to the normal usage state, based on a user operation; andswitch the operation state of the information processing apparatus tothe normal usage state in response to the received instruction operationduring execution of the series of processes.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing systemis further configured to: while the download processing is beingperformed in the low power consumption state, interrupt the downloadprocessing in response to reception of the instruction operation; andrestart the interrupted download processing after the operation statebecomes the normal usage state.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the restarted download processing isrestarted as background processing, after the operation state becomesthe normal usage state.
 10. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein during system update install processing,when the instruction operation is received from the user, the operationstate is switched to the normal usage state while continuing the systemupdate install processing.
 11. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein during execution of the series ofprocesses, the information processing apparatus does not output to theexternal apparatus a video/audio signal relevant to the series ofprocesses.
 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein software as a target of the update includes a first kind ofsoftware and a second kind of software, the update confirmation includesdetermining both whether or not there is update of the first kind ofsoftware and whether or not there is update of the second kind ofsoftware, and the update preparation and the update install are executedwhen it is determined that there is update of the first kind ofsoftware.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim12, wherein the system software belongs to the first kind of software,and an application other than the system software belongs to the secondkind of software.
 14. An information processing system capable ofcommunicating with an external apparatus via a network, the informationprocessing system being capable of operating while switching between atleast two operation states of a low power consumption state in whichonly some of hardware components composing the information processingsystem are supplied with power and communication with a predeterminedserver can be performed, and a normal usage state in which more of thehardware components than in the low power consumption state are suppliedwith power and power consumption is greater than in the low powerconsumption state, the information processing system comprising: a powersupply controller configured to control a supply of power supplied tothe hardware components; and a processing system that includes at leastone processor coupled to the memory device, the processing systemconfigued to: in the low power consumption state, confirm whether or notthere is at least one update of the system software that requireswriting on at least one of the hardware components; responsive toconfirmation that there is an update, execute processing to causedownloading update data for the update of the system software from thepredetermined server, and instruct the power supply controller to supplypower to at least some of the hardware components that are not suppliedwith power in the low power consumption state; and execute a systemupdate install based on the downloaded update data, wherein (1)confirmation of whether or not there is at least one update of systemsoftware, (2) execution of processing to cause downloading the updatedata, and (3) execution of the system update install are performedautomatically by the processing system without operation by a user. 15.An information processing method for controlling a computer of aninformation processing apparatus capable of communicating with anexternal apparatus via a network, the information processing apparatusbeing capable of operating while switching between at least twooperation states of a low power consumption state in which only some ofhardware components composing the information processing apparatus aresupplied with power and communication with a predetermined server can beperformed, and a normal usage state in which more of the hardwarecomponents than in the low power consumption state are supplied withpower and power consumption is greater than in the low power consumptionstate, the information processing method comprising the steps of:confirming, by using the computer, whether or not there is at least oneupdate of system software that requires writing on the hardwarecomponents, in the low power consumption state; when there is theupdate, executing processing, by using the computer, of downloadingupdate data for the update from the predetermined server; in accordancewith downloading the update data starting to supply power to at leastsome of the hardware components that are not supplied with power in thelow power consumption state; and executing, by using the computer,system update install based on the downloaded update data, wherein aseries of processing steps that include (1) confirming whether or notthere is at least one update of system software, (2) executingprocessing of downloading update data, and (3) executing system updateinstall are automatically executed or performed by the by the computerwithout dependence on user operation.
 16. A computer-readablenon-transitory storage medium having stored therein an informationprocessing program to be executed by a computer of an informationprocessing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatusvia a network, the information processing apparatus being capable ofoperating while switching between at least two operation states of a lowpower consumption state in which only some of hardware componentscomposing the information processing apparatus are supplied with powerand communication with a predetermined server can be performed, and anormal usage state in which more of the hardware components than in thelow power consumption state are supplied with power and powerconsumption is greater than in the low power consumption state, theinformation processing program comprising instructions that areconfigured to cause the computer to: in the low power consumption state,execute confirm processing for whether or not there is at least oneupdate of system software that requires writing on the hardwarecomponents; when there is the update of system software, executeprocessing to cause update data for the update of the system software tobe downloaded from the predetermined server, and starting supplyingpower to at least some of the hardware components that are not suppliedwith power in the low power consumption state; and execute a systemupdate install based on the downloaded update data, wherein instructionsthat include the confirmation processing, the executed processing tocause the update data to be downloaded, and the system update installare automatically executable by the computer without relying uponoperation by a user.